All of the asbestos diseases are difficult to treat. Most are impossible to cure. Stopping asbestos fibers from ever entering your lungs is important. The only cure for most asbestos diseases is to prevent them. The most common test used to learn if you have been exposed to asbestos is a chest x-ray. The x-ray cannot detect the asbestos fibers themselves, but can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. Other tests, such as lung scanning and computer-aided tomography CAT scan , are also useful in detecting changes in the lungs.
For more information about asbestos, contact the Asbestos Program at MDH through the internet or by telephone at Health Effects Asbestos Why is asbestos dangerous? Asbestos is dangerous because it has the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days after they were initially disturbed.
While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Mesothelioma is a rare type of fast-growing cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. There is currently no cure for this disease. Between and people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia each year, with the average time between diagnosis and death being only 11 months AIHW, All of these asbestos-related diseases contribute to approximately deaths in Australia each year Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, Due to these health risks, Australia imposed a total ban on the mining, manufacture and use of asbestos on 31 December However, our past use of asbestos means that asbestos-containing materials still exist in our built environment.
There is no safe level of exposure that can protect you from developing an asbestos-related disease World Health Organisation. This is because asbestos is a genotoxic carcinogen and owing to its DNA interaction properties, there is thought to be no safe exposure threshold or dose. Genotoxic carcinogens are regulated under the assumption that they pose a cancer risk for humans, even at very low doses. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to content Contact us Emergency information.
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Last updated: 11 August About asbestos Asbestos was commonly used in: cement sheeting fibro drainage and flue pipes roofing, guttering and flexible building boards eg Villaboard, Hardiflex, etc.
Similar cement sheeting products are used today, but are 'asbestos free' brakes, clutches and gaskets. How can asbestos affect my health? When does asbestos pose a risk to health? Different forms of asbestos material, different risk levels If asbestos fibres are in a stable material such as bonded in asbestos-cement sheeting such as fibro and in good condition they pose little health risk.
Keep people and pets away, and consult with an asbestos removal expert before you attempt to remove or seal the material. Some forms of insulation may look like asbestos, but they are actually mineral or fibreglass-based insulation materials that are unlikely to pose a health risk. To reduce your risk of exposure to asbestos, it is always best to hire a professional to collect and test a sample of the material for asbestos.
If you are renovating an older house, be alert to unexpected sources of asbestos. Get a professional opinion before starting the renovation and hire a professional to conduct the removal.
Power sanding floor tiles, plaster walls or partitions made partly from asbestos can release dangerous quantities of inhalable fibres into the air. To find a professional who can test a sample of your material for asbestos, see Directory of Qualified Laboratories in BC www. These contractors use specialized and personal protective equipment and professional methods for removing asbestos dust and disposing of the material safely. Skip to main content. Print Feedback Email a link Share.
Asbestos: When Should I Worry? Last Updated:. July
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